1
as in sources
a point or place at which something is invented or provided
the origins of human language remain a matter of considerable debate
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in roots
the source from which something grows or develops
the origin of the tradition of giving presents at Christmastime
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in lineages
the line of ancestors from whom a person is descended
they could trace their origins back 15 generations
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of origins
Another patient had a revelation about the origins of his severe obsessive-compulsive disorder, which significantly improved his symptoms.
—
Clayton Dalton, New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2026
Stewart is a Green Lantern, one of the space cops patrolling Earth and its sector as part of the Green Lantern Corps, and his appearance make tonal sense as both Superman and Brainiac are space-faring characters with alien origins.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 12 Mar. 2026
Set for March 20–29 in the Swiss city of Fribourg, this year’s edition revisits the event’s origins while highlighting emerging filmmaking scenes and genre traditions from around the world.
—Essie Assibu, Variety, 12 Mar. 2026
Though legend attributes the dish’s invention to the 10th-century scientist Ibn Sina, of the Silk Road city of Bukhara, its true origins are obscure.
—Michael Snyder, Saveur, 11 Mar. 2026
And true to its origins, dining will be central to the property's identity.
—Regan Stephens, Travel + Leisure, 11 Mar. 2026
The records shed light on the origins of the legislation, which followed years of pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses that DeSantis has tried to stamp out.
—Lawrence Mower, Miami Herald, 10 Mar. 2026
Go back to the very origins of Savannah pitching an alliance with her, Ozzy, Rick, and Joe.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Mar. 2026
Puzzling twist Scientists are one step closer to understanding the origins of complex life on Earth.
—CNN Money, 5 Mar. 2026
Clayton Dalton, New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2026
Stewart is a Green Lantern, one of the space cops patrolling Earth and its sector as part of the Green Lantern Corps, and his appearance make tonal sense as both Superman and Brainiac are space-faring characters with alien origins.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 12 Mar. 2026
Set for March 20–29 in the Swiss city of Fribourg, this year’s edition revisits the event’s origins while highlighting emerging filmmaking scenes and genre traditions from around the world.
—Essie Assibu, Variety, 12 Mar. 2026
Though legend attributes the dish’s invention to the 10th-century scientist Ibn Sina, of the Silk Road city of Bukhara, its true origins are obscure.
—Michael Snyder, Saveur, 11 Mar. 2026
And true to its origins, dining will be central to the property's identity.
—Regan Stephens, Travel + Leisure, 11 Mar. 2026
The records shed light on the origins of the legislation, which followed years of pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses that DeSantis has tried to stamp out.
—Lawrence Mower, Miami Herald, 10 Mar. 2026
Go back to the very origins of Savannah pitching an alliance with her, Ozzy, Rick, and Joe.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Mar. 2026
Puzzling twist Scientists are one step closer to understanding the origins of complex life on Earth.
—CNN Money, 5 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for origins
Noun
-
Soft music, meditation, or prayer can also be good sources of peace.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
14 Mar. 2026
-
The officials stressed that there is still time to solve the problem and that the embassy and the State Department were looking at potential solutions, including possibly importing fuel from private sources if the Cubans allow it.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Coleman made his name as the co-founder of London’s Caravan restaurants and coffee roasters, and Coulton’s roots are in management consultancy.—
Bella Webb,
Vogue,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Bob Johnson’s SoCal roots include coaching Los Amigos from 1970-72.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Comparative studies show that an appendix-like structure evolved independently in at least three distinct lineages of mammals – marsupials, primates and glires, a group that includes rodents and rabbits.—
Lilia Goncharova,
The Conversation,
9 Mar. 2026
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But a new investigation of Asgard genomes has revealed previously unknown lineages of the microbes in shallow coastal sediments, some of which appear tolerant of and use oxygen, according to a study published February 18 in the journal Nature.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
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These fun pink clogs channel spring flowers while their contoured footbed cradles your arches, and the adjustable heel strap keeps them secure.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The integrated foam handles and foot cradles offer comfort and versatility.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
North County is considered to be the cradle of skateboarding, which has grown from its rough around the edges beginnings into a billion dollar industry where icons like Tony Hawk have become global celebrities.—
Rob Nikolewski,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Mar. 2026
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Staging and laying groundwork are excellent uses of days that don’t facilitate successful beginnings.—
Magi Helena,
Dallas Morning News,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
But many Chicanos trace their lineage to indigenous peoples who survived Spanish colonization, often carrying mixed indigenous, Spanish, and other ancestries, a testament to survival and cultural fusion.—
David Alvarado,
Time,
15 Dec. 2025
-
This lack of representation is problematic for people of different ancestries because genetic risk factors differ across populations.—
Rachel Nuwer,
Scientific American,
14 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
All three are Nordic countries with populations above 5 million and strong winter sport pedigrees — Norway most of all.—
Peter Baugh,
New York Times,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Jeremy and Cindy Bearman, a husband-wife duo with pedigrees from New York City’s ABC Kitchen and db Bistro Moderne, have created a seasonal menu that is technique-forward and expressive.—
USA TODAY NETWORK,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The seal texts often introduced the owners with their names, genealogies, gender, professions and hometowns.—
Serdar Yalçin,
The Conversation,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Transcripts, grammars, vocabularies, dictionaries, glyph studies, botanical studies, commentaries, articles, editions of codices, correspondence, maps, charts, drawings, photographs, Maya Society materials, genealogies of Maya families, and Mayan glyphs on moveable type.—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Origins.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/origins. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
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